During the 18th century an enormous project was undertaken which would dramatically change the city. An 8 kilometre long channel was built from the Odense Harbour to Odense Fjord. The construction of this channel turned Odense into a real port city, and commerce and the population increased dramatically.
In 1865 a railway was built across Funen which would also have great effects on Odense’s commerce.
Since 1966 Odense has been known as a university city. The city is also has an Opera and a Symphony Orchestra. Since the 1960's Odense has been the home of many trade shows at the enormous exhibition centre (Odense Congress Center).